Around Town: Banks must have karma too

Tuesday

Jul 19, 2011 at 12:01 AMJul 19, 2011 at 3:54 PM

By Pat Orr APPLE VALLEY REVIEW

A few weeks ago we discussed the old bank in Apple Valley that was being torn down to make way for a new Starbucks. In a burst of cosmic karmic revenge, a food establishment now faces the wrecking ball to make way for a new bank.

By this time next month, Nikki’s Restaurant, which has anchored the corner at Apple Valley Road and Bear Valley Road since long before most of the other retailers showed up, will be no more. The land has been sold and will be cleared to make way for a new bank. Since we already have four banks within walking distance of this corner, we lament the loss of this sales tax generator and a popular place with seniors. One wonders if rushing to open branches will not catch up to these banks as it has in the past when the inevitable round of mergers and branch closures begins anew. • Legislator to lawyer

Probably the only profession less respected in public polls than being an attorney is that of a politician. So one could presume it is a step up for former 59th Assemblyman Anthony Adams to announce that he is joining the Riverside Law Firm of Wagner & Pelayes. Adams, who worked part-time at getting his law degree for years, has been looking for a roost since passing the bar exam.

Wagner & Pelayes has a long history in San Bernardino County political circles and proudly announced their new associate as a “retired” assemblyman. I guess “retired” was easier to fit on the announcement than “run out of office by angry voters.” • South California, here I come

Riverside Supervisor Jeff Stone’s idea to break our state into two parts is a great one. We will need a lot of new revenue to buy water from North California, but I already have some revenue and policy ideas for our new state.

For starters, a new 75 percent sales tax on sushi, designer jeans and sunglasses that cost more than $40. People from North California driving to Las Vegas would pay a hefty toll in Barstow and Baker. All voters would be required to show picture ID at the polling place and absentee ballots would have a spot for your thumb print, and yes, we will check it. We will not duplicate any state agencies found in Sacramento. The counties and cities do it better and cheaper.

On South California freeways electric and small hybrid cars will be painted Caltrans Orange and be forced to drive in the right lane to avoid getting smashed like bugs between our trucks, SUVs and big rigs. Our South California Highway Patrol will confiscate legally stopped vehicles being driven without insurance or by unlicensed or illegal immigrant drivers and the cars will be loaded on a cargo container and shipped to Cuba and sold. At least we know they wouldn’t be used to sneak back in the country — and Cuba needs some new old American cars.

Yes this may be an unattainable pipe dream, but hey, wasn’t Jeff Stone the name of the son in the early ’60s Donna Reed Show? If we could believe she could raise a family, cook and clean all while wearing pearls, a silk dress and perfect make-up why can’t we believe in a South California? Change we can hope for.

Pat Orr is a local business owner, community volunteer and political junkie.

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